A delegation of DMK MPs on Thursday submitted a memorandum of the Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation (TESO) to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging him to convene a meeting of Ministers, elected representatives and fishermen representatives of India and Sri Lanka to find a lasting solution to the travails of Tamil fishermen at the hands of Sri Lankan authorities.
The memorandum pointed out that even after the Centre initiated negotiations between fishermen groups from both sides, on January 29 and February 1 fishermen boats came under attack by the Sri Lankan Navy. About 57 fishermen were arrested during the past week alone.
“This only proves that the steps taken by the Government of India had totally failed in protecting the Indian fishermen,” the memorandum said.
While calling for steps to secure the immediate release of Tamil fishermen imprisoned in Sri Lanka, the MPs stated that in such a situation a meeting of elected representatives from either side would help arrive at a permanent and comprehensive solution.
